The Microsoft Surface Tablet thread.

[Crono]

The Surface was in development before the iPad was announced.

Not to mention Microsoft did tablets well before Apple (not counting the Newton, which was more a PDA).

 

[Aabel]

Thanks for the feedback on Remote Desktop. I'm an artist and have been dreaming of having a pressure sensitive tablet with all my art applications on it so I can get out and enjoy life and bring my art with me. Remote Desktop seems to be the fulfillment of this dream, the responsiveness is great on my iPad, just the iPad sucks for Remote Desktop pressure sensitivity and mouse support.

I'll probably pick up a windows 8 tablet with an active digitizer soon and see how well I can run zbrush and photoshop remotely. Can always take it back if it doesn't work out!

 

[nerp]

Yup. Thinking of a stylus myself for taking notes at meetings but not sure if that would be any faster or better than just using the keyboard, which I can fly on like a regular keyboard now.

 

[hans030390]

What it's turned into? Another Apple product knock-off.

Hardly. Have you taken the time to sit down and use one? They serve different purposes, though I'd argue the Surface is the better do-it-all device.

You know you've been able to do all of the above on Android forever...

LOL, same features or not, Android doesn't even compare to Windows 8. I sold my Nexus 7 as soon as I could after trying out Surface.

 

[Whiskey16]

Hardly. Have you taken the time to sit down and use one? They serve different purposes, though I'd argue the Surface is the better do-it-all device.

LOL, same features or not, Android doesn't even compare to Windows 8.

Exactly, a PC with a full desktop OS such as the Surface Pro does not warrant a de-rated computer discussion into the Consumer Electronics - Gadgets sub-forum.

I've picked up an Acer W510 (thankfully not one from the first production run with the Acer announced hardware defective touchpad in the dock) and if going to start a discussion upon that Windows 8 device, I would certainly choose to place it away from here and in the Hardware & Technology - SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones PCs forum.

 

[nerp]

Exactly, a PC with a full desktop OS such as the Surface Pro does not warrant a de-rated computer discussion into the Consumer Electronics - Gadgets sub-forum.

I've picked up an Acer W510 (thankfully not one from the first production run with the Acer announced hardware defective touchpad in the dock) and if going to start a discussion upon that Windows 8 device, I would certainly choose to place it away from here and in the Hardware & Technology - SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones PCs forum.

Uhh, we're talking about the Surface RT, not the pro. The pro isn't even out yet. Surface RT is not a full desktop OS. It does, however, run RDP because it's available for free in the Surface store. And it most certainly is a "mobile" device and you could argue Surface Pro will be too, despite having a full blown OS on it.

 

[WelshBloke]

...LOL, same features or not, Android doesn't even compare to Windows 8. I sold my Nexus 7 as soon as I could after trying out Surface.

Well I never thought I'd see someone bigging up Microsoft by saying "never mind the features, look at the shiny! ".

 

[nerp]

Well I never thought I'd see someone bigging up Microsoft by saying "never mind the features, look at the shiny! ".

Times are changing.

 

[neilm]

I am considering the windows surface pro instead of building myself a new desktop. I figure I can use the tablet as a desktop, but be a lot more mobile (pick up and go). Is there any restrictions to the tablet? For example, would I be able to do everything the desktop can do? Can I connect a monitor/keyboard/mouse to these?

Do people think the price is worthy enough? I must have a look at the battery life is...

 

[Crono]

I am considering the windows surface pro instead of building myself a new desktop. I figure I can use the tablet as a desktop, but be a lot more mobile (pick up and go). Is there any restrictions to the tablet? For example, would I be able to do everything the desktop can do? Can I connect a monitor/keyboard/mouse to these?

Do people think the price is worthy enough? I must have a look at the battery life is...

I've used my Surface RT as a desktop. Mouse, keyboard, HDMI out to monitor (or even DVI or VGA out if you have a micro HDMI adapter). You'll want a USB hub if you are using a bunch of USB cables, though. Pro should be even better as far as applications go, since you can use most regular x86 programs (though graphics-intense programs like the latest games will be a no-go, obviously).

The battery life on the RT is great at ~ 10 hours, but last I heard the Pro is supposed to be more along the lines of a conventional laptop/ultrabook (3-5 hours). Microsoft says battery life "half" that of Surface RT, so 5-6 hours would probably be the upper end. I just sold my RT on ebay since Windows 8 tablets are starting to show up, would love to be able to use old Windows programs. I plan on getting the Surface Pro if the price $899.

For anyone considering either Surface, make sure you get the Type Cover if you can. I don't know if it's a larger problem for other people, but I've had my Touch Cover keys (well, just one key) get worn a bit from light use/contact with tables when in stand mode (didn't think to detach it until later seeing the wear). Still worked, but I can't help thinking they skimped on the endurance testing time of the cover versus the tablet itself. I'm going to get the Type Cover next time around because while I could type okay and reasonably fast on the Touch Cover, even a little bit more tactile feedback would help.

 

[neilm]

I've used my Surface RT as a desktop. Mouse, keyboard, HDMI out to monitor (or even DVI or VGA out if you have a micro HDMI adapter). You'll want a USB hub if you are using a bunch of USB cables, though. Pro should be even better as far as applications go, since you can use most regular x86 programs (though graphics-intense programs like the latest games will be a no-go, obviously).

The battery life on the RT is great at ~ 10 hours, but last I heard the Pro is supposed to be more along the lines of a conventional laptop/ultrabook (3-5 hours). Microsoft says battery life "half" that of Surface RT, so 5-6 hours would probably be the upper end. I just sold my RT since Windows 8 tablets are starting to show up, would love to be able to use old Windows programs. I plan on getting the Surface Pro if the price $899.

Thanks Crono, nice summary. I wouldn't be interested playing games on it, but maybe editing images sometime in the future, hopefully that would hold okay. Also, would you not prefer the $999 version... or would you not need the extra storage space?

 

[Crono]

Thanks Crono, nice summary. I wouldn't be interested playing games on it, but maybe editing images sometime in the future, hopefully that would hold okay. Also, would you not prefer the $999 version... or would you not need the extra storage space?

Yeah, I'm hoping it does image editing okay, too. Full blown Photoshop would be great, but I'd settle for GIMP if it runs close to flawlessly. Ideally, I would love to run Sony Vegas if the Pro can handle it, which I guess it should since it's a Core i5 in there. I wouldn't need my desktop at all anymore.

I'm not sure whether to get the $999/128GB one. With the RT, what's bad about the 32GB version is they kind of lock you into using internal storage for apps and music (at least Xbox Music). There might be some workaround, but I couldn't use my 64GB microSD to store apps, which sucks because just installing 25-30 apps depleted the leftover space (OS uses a large chunk, nearly half).

But since the Pro starts at 64GB, I'm not sure if it's worth paying for another 64GB... but if it's not possible to store Xbox/Zune Music on a microSD, I'll probably go for the 128GB. $100 isn't a huge difference but I hate paying that much when a 64GB microSD cost me half that.

EDIT: Reading a review posted:
http://gearburn.com/2013/01/microsoft-surface-windows-8-pro-hands-on-review/

Looks promising, though battery life wasn't tested.

 

[lkailburn]

nice info! I'm waiting for the pro to come out and use it as a replacement for my work laptop that i lug around with me everywhere. I imagine that the pro will exceed all of my needs, and then double as a nice sized tablet for home use as well. One thing that it might lose out on is long term. I typically don't replace a laptop until 3 years..think the pro will stand up to 3 years of daily use? who knows

-Luke

 

[dagamer34]

Yeah, I'm hoping it does image editing okay, too. Full blown Photoshop would be great, but I'd settle for GIMP if it runs close to flawlessly. Ideally, I would love to run Sony Vegas if the Pro can handle it, which I guess it should since it's a Core i5 in there. I wouldn't need my desktop at all anymore.

I'm not sure whether to get the $999/128GB one. With the RT, what's bad about the 32GB version is they kind of lock you into using internal storage for apps and music (at least Xbox Music). There might be some workaround, but I couldn't use my 64GB microSD to store apps, which sucks because just installing 25-30 apps depleted the leftover space (OS uses a large chunk, nearly half).

But since the Pro starts at 64GB, I'm not sure if it's worth paying for another 64GB... but if it's not possible to store Xbox/Zune Music on a microSD, I'll probably go for the 128GB. $100 isn't a huge difference but I hate paying that much when a 64GB microSD cost me half that.

EDIT: Reading a review posted:
http://gearburn.com/2013/01/microsoft-surface-windows-8-pro-hands-on-review/

Looks promising, though battery life wasn't tested.

How to store your music, pictures, and video on a microSD : http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/surface-tip-microsd-content-libraries-metro-apps-144658

 

[podspi]

How to store your music, pictures, and video on a microSD : http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/surface-tip-microsd-content-libraries-metro-apps-144658

That seems like a better solution than what I did, which was just to delete the directories the libraries pointed to and replace them with symbolic links on the microSD.

 

[ultimatebob]

UPDATE: In October of 2012, I predicted that these Surface RT tablets would sell so badly that Microsoft would have to unload them for under $200 by the end of 2013.

Looks like it happened a few months ahead of schedule:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9240149/Microsoft_slashes_Surface_RT_prices_by_60_for_schools

I'm still expecting that these will start showing up on Woot around the same price soon... even school administrators are smart enough to stay away from these things.

 

[sontin]

They will introduce new Surface RT tablets with 8.1. So they selling inventory to get rid of them.

 

[Imp]

Don't worry, their server + Windows + Office divisions will bankroll the "giveaway"... just like with Suxbox.

 

[BladeVenom]

I'm still expecting that these will start showing up on Woot around the same price soon... even school administrators are smart enough to stay away from these things.

Or, maybe when they dig up those old ET cartridges they can fill the pit back in with Surface RT tablets.

 

[ultimatebob]

I like how nobody is coming out to defend the Surface RT... I guess that Microsoft's shills aren't getting a paycheck to promote it anymore

 

[finbarqs]

ROFL... they need to pull a Xbone-eighty... drop windows 8 "Modern UI" in favor of traditional desktop schemes.

 

[Red Storm]

I will bash Windows RT like everyone else, but I did like the physical design of the tablet. The keyboard cover and kickstand were nice additions, one I hope Apple and Google copy and improve upon.

 

[ultimatebob]

ROFL... they need to pull a Xbone-eighty... drop windows 8 "Modern UI" in favor of traditional desktop schemes.

The Metro (or whatever they want to call it) UI actually looks OK on a tablet.

It's the insanely high price tag and weak collection of Windows RT software that grinds my gears.

If this thing would have been $300 (or $350 with the keyboard) at launch it would have actually stood a chance.

 

[Roland00Address]

The only problem with windows rt is the LACK of software, fix this and maybe rt will live

The surface rt is also underpowered for the price but that will soon change when we see the qualcomm s800 in surface rt version 2

 

[rockyct]

The Metro (or whatever they want to call it) UI actually looks OK on a tablet.

It's the insanely high price tag and weak collection of Windows RT software that grinds my gears.

If this thing would have been $300 (or $350 with the keyboard) at launch it would have actually stood a chance.

The price they launched at was aimed to give room for 3rd parties to make their own WinRT tablets and sell them for less than the Surface. OEMs never really made a go at it (understandably) so I think now Microsoft can decide to be competitive with the price but I still think that means more than $300 since the Surface is a premium device.

The Haswell processor may make them more irrelevant but it's possible they could aim for low end now with WinRT. Any Windows tablet sale is overall a good thing for the Microsoft app store. Almost all Metro apps work on Win8 and WinRT so it's possible that an RT device actually makes more sense in the future than it does right now if the app store continues to grow.